The government shows no bias in rewarding individuals who break international records, the Youth and Sports Ministry said today.

In a written reply to Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), the ministry rebutted her claim that the government has not given due recognition to the first Malaysians to scale Mount Everest - Mohandass Nagappan and Magendran Munusamy.

She compared this with the rewards given to swimmer Abdul Malik Mydin, who crossed the English Channel recently.

The ministry said it has always recognised and appreciated Malaysians who break international records by ensuring that they receive gifts, remuneration or honourary titles.

Mohandass and Magendran, for example, had received "numerous rewards"- they were each conferred the Kesatria Mangku Negara by the King and Ahli Mahkota Selangor by the Selangor Sultan.

They also received a condominium unit at Bukit Jalil valued at RM250,000, and cash incentives of RM50,000 from the Youth and Sports Ministry and RM25,000 from the Selangor government.

In addition, the duo received a scholarship each to pursue their studies at local public universities, were promoted in their jobs, and were offered contracts to endorse products.

"The federal government encourages state governments to give recognition and appreciation to

those who succeed (in breaking records). It is up to the state government to offer a suitable reward (to those born in their state)," the ministry said.

Other rewards

The ministry also said rewards could be delivered in other forms - for instance, many national swimmers are sponsored to study abroad by the National Sports Council and Malaysian Olympic Council.

"We may also give contributions to family members of athletes or former athletes who have passed away, in appreciation of their contributions."

It said the family of the late Nor Ramli, who led the Mouth Everest expedition team, received funds for his children's studies, housing, and offers of jobs.

The Football Association of Malaysia has given aid to the families of former national football players such as the late A Arumugam and Isa Bakar.

Abdul Malik, 28, the first Malaysian to swim across the channel from England to France, has been heralded as a national hero and conferred the title 'Datuk' by the Penang government for his achievement.

The ministry organised a dinner on his return, which Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had attended.

Malaysia, in recent years has encouraged citizens to break world records by creating the Malaysia Boleh slogan and the 'Malaysia Book of Records', which is similar to the international Guinness Book of Records.

The government recently approved a plan to set up a 'Malaysia Boleh Challenge' unit, to identify individuals with the capability of breaking world records and to provide consultation services to them.